GOVERNMENT BILL 01

Chairman Lucy Tatum submitted the following report regarding Government Bill 01, "An Act to Place the Qualifications for Student Government Offices an a Student Body Referendum", on Monday, February 3rd 2003, on behalf of the Government Operations Committee, and pursuant to its Sunday, February 2nd 2003 recommendations, by general consent:

As provided by Senate Rule 14(b), the committee requests that the Senate President place Government Bill 01 on the calendar for second reading.

Attendance:

There were five (5) Members (Fabricius, Horne, Moody, Palin, Tatum) present.

There were zero (0) Members absent.

A quorum was present.

The following officials were also present: Horton, Lester, Ogbon, Stephenson

Purpose of Legislation:

As amended by the committee, GB 01 would offer a referendum on the Spring General Election ballot which would give control to the Senate on deciding matters of good standing regarding Student Government Officials.

Background Information:

There was much discussion about GB 16 this session and GB 33 last session, both of which dealt with the same issue: the definition of good standing. There has been a question in the past about whether or not the Senate even has the power to decide this, so this bill addresses that.

Recommendations:

The committee recommends consideration by the Senate.

Committee Amendments:

The bill was struck past line 3 and the following was inserted:

"Section 1. Student Body Constitution Article I, Section 2, shall be amended by striking:

Each officer shall at the time of the election be a student in good standing, and be regularly enrolled in the University. Furthermore, the Student Body Officers must remain enrolled in the University, and also remain students in good standing for their entire term in office.

And inserting:

Each officer shall at the time of the election be an enrolled student meeting such standing requirements as set in the Student Body Statutes, and must continue to meet such for their entire term in office.

Section 2.Student Body Constitution Article II Section 2, shall be amended by striking:

All senators shall, at time of their election, be a student in the University in good standing. Further, Senators must remain enrolled students in the University and in good standing for their entire term.

And inserting:

All senators shall, at the time of their election, be an enrolled student meeting such standing requirements as set in the Student Body Statutes, and must continue to meet such for their entire term in office.

Section 3. This act, upon its approval of the Senate, shall be placed on the ballot during the 2003 Spring Elections as a Student Body Referendum, labeled with accordance to the Student Body Statues, and shall become effective upon majority vote of the Student Body."